When you leave Ireland aged 22 to spend your parents' money, it's called a gap year. When Ava leaves Ireland aged 22 to make her own money, she's not sure what to call it, but it involves:

• a badly-paid job in Hong Kong, teaching English grammar to rich children;
• Julian, who likes to spend money on Ava and lets her move into his guest room;
• Edith, who Ava meets while Julian is out of town and actually listens to her when she talks;
• money, love, cynicism, unspoken feelings and unlikely connections.

 Exciting times ensue.